Mozy released the beta of a new file synchronization service called Stash, which allows photos, videos or documents to be uploaded automatically to the cloud and shared across any device.

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Cloud storage service Mozy on Wednesday announced public beta availability of Mozy Stash , a new feature that provides customers with a method of accessing files across multiple computers and mobile devices.

Stash combines MozyHome's online backup service with the ability to synchronize files across devices in near real time. Data can be viewed from any computer, regardless of the operating system, as well as mobile devices including the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

"All your data is in the cloud so that you can access it anywhere," said Gytis Barzdukas, director of product management at Mozy, now part of EMC-owned VMware.

Barzdukas demonstrated Stash during a visit to Computerworld earlier this month by taking a photo with an iPhone. The photo was automatically backed up to the MozyHome cloud service and then accessible within seconds on an iPad tablet.

"Stash uses a simple single-folder model which complements your online backup, so that all your data is available where and when you need it, even if you choose not to synchronize it," said Russ Stockdale, Movy's general manager, in a statement. "Stash makes it easy to move from your computer at the office to your computer at home, without having to email files to yourself or mess around with USB drives."

Stash draws storage from the user's MozyHome plan. For example, with a 50GB plan and where 30GB is already used or online backup, the remaining 20GB is available for Stash. Similarly, for MozyHome Free subscribers, Stash draws from the user's 2GB of storage.

The Stash feature doesn't allow file-sharing between different users, but that option is expected to be added later this year, Barzdukas said.

Unlike with online backup, files put in Stash are updated automatically so that users have their latest work ready to go on each computer that is linked to Stash.

MozyHome paid subscribers who sign up for Stash before April 15 can count on having Stash as part of their ongoing subscription at no extra cost.

Later this year, Mozy plans to release Stash for MozyPro, which is aimed at storing business-class data in the cloud. Stash can run on the same computer as MozyPro online backup, with Stash using a separate MozyHome account.

Through its MozyPro service, Stash will allow IT administrators to set policies that define what can be viewed across employee mobile devices. Data stored in Mozy's Stash is encrypted using the 448-bit Blowfish algorithm.

Mozy offers users the option of either choosing an automated encryption key service, with the information shared between the user and Mozy, or for users to create their own keys that cannot be accessed by a third party.

Files on Mozy's cloud storage service can be viewed using a file system (list) view or a Web-access (iconic) view.

"We're decoupling devices from the data ... and tying it more to the individual than the technology," Barzdukas said.